Click on the small pictures to see them bigger, click on the bigger picture for a maxi version

In 1836 May, the railway Mechelen - Antwerp was opened. A small wooden railway station
was the first railway station.

The seond building came in 1854. Although this 'middle station' was again meant to
be very temporarily, it survived till 1895.

The contemporary 'Central Station' of Antwerp consists of 2 parts : the roof above
the rails, and a building.

Civil engineer Clement Van Bogaert built the roof
construction in the period 1895 - 1899. It was a revolutionary
glassdroof with metal and
glas. The size of the construction was adapted to the type of
trains used in that period. The number of rails, the fume and the size of the
locomotives were well taken into account. This gave an optimal hieght of 43 metres. A
lower roof would bring steam to the travellers.

The stone railway of entrance building was designed by
Delacenserie, and was built in 1899 till 1905 in
eclectic style. On King Leopold II's suggestions, Delacenserie
inspired himself on the forms of the railway station in Luzerne (in Switserland). The
75 metres high dome is like the smaller domes at the
Astridplein crowned by a lantern tower. King Leopold II's
initials, 2 L's standing back to back, are visible on many placed in the railway
station. 20 kinds of marble were used. You also find all kinds
of pilars: Dorian,
Tuscan, Ionic and
Corinthian. The central watch is a
remaquable piece of art.